Bags with detachable suspension and closure devices



B. MILLER April 23, 1957 BAGS WITH DETACHABLE SUSPENSION AND CLOSUREDEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1955 INVENTOR,

lY/LLER A770RNE) April 23, 1957 B. MILLER 2,789,781

BAGS WITH DETACHABLE SUSPENSION AND CLOSURE DEVICES Filed March 11, 19552 Sheefs-Sheet 2 Arm/wen folds.

United States Patent BAGS WITH DETACHABLE SUSPENSION AND CLOSURE DEVICESBenjamin Miller, New York, N. Y.

Application March 11, 1955, Serial No. 493,622

11 Claims. (Cl. 248-100) The present invention relates to bags withsuspension and closure devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved device ofthe character mentioned, affording a frame to be detachably mounted onthe mouth rim of a bag; such a frame being manipulable to open and closethe bag.

Another object hereof is to provide a device of the type set forth, ofnovel and improved construction, wherein, regardless of the extent towhich the bag is opened, its mouth rim edges will always be in a singleplane, such as a horizontal plane and one set of opposite sides of thebag will remain always parallel to each other at their top edges. Also,the opening and closing of the bag shall always be in'rectangularfashion with no possibility that the bag shall assume an askew position,regardless of the extent to which it is opened.

Another object hereof is to provide a device of the type described, ofnovel and improved construction, affording practically hermetic closureof the bag. A further object hereof is to provide a novel and improveddevice of the class set forth, which can be hung upon a wall or otherplace for use as a refuse container or the frame may be provided withsuitable handles for use in hand-bag manner.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved device of thenature-set forth, afiording a frame for use with expandable paper bags.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel andimproved device of the characterset forth, which is reasonably cheap tomanufacture, easy to use .and efficient in carrying out the purposes forwhich it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosureproceeds.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, I provide a frameincluding a pair of elongated horizontally positioned members and use apaper bag of the type which can be compressed flat when empty and whichhas expandable side gussets. These frame members are along one anotherand have means to attach the mouth or rim region of the bag thereto sothat it is removable from such frame. Linkages are associated with saidframe members so that they may be separated or brought together to openand close the bag. Said elongated members are prevented from anylongitudinal movement with respect to each other, so that the mouth ofthe bag will open and close rectangularly.

I prefer to provide that no dead center shall exist in the linkages sothat the frame always closes easily. Similarly, I provide that the sidegussets of the bag be not permitted to assume a completely opencondition, so that they shall always close correctly along their properIn addition, I prefer to provide that the side gussets, when completelyclosed and compressed at the rim or mouth of the bag, shall come almosttogether, so .that better hermetic closure of the bag may be attained.

Also I provide that when the frame is suspended, it may 2,789,781Patented Apr. 23, 1957 "ice be easily opened and closed with the use ofonly one hand. Finally, I provide special modifications of ordinarypaper bags, adapted for the practice of this invention. Ordinary paperbags, of course, are also usable.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective showing of a big frame for the practice of thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a bag and its suspension and closure frame ofFig. 1 associated therewith. This is a preferred embodiment of mypresent invention. The handles are omitted in this embodiment of theframe. Their inclusion is optional.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken at lines 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective fragmentary view showing an ordinary paper bagslightly modified for use with the frame of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of another type of modifiedpaper bag.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a frame component ofmodified construction. A frame using a pair of bars as here shown, isadapted for detachable suspension of ordinary paper bags.

Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 3, taken at lines 77 in Fig. 6, of aframe utilizing the structure taught in said Fig. 6. This view showssuch frame in closed condition and having a bag suspended therefrom.

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 6, but of another modified construction, sothat a frame employing such as is here shown, is adapted for detachablysuspending any form of bag.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of either componentshown in the Figs. 8 or 6.

-In the drawings, the numeral 15 designates generally a frame on which abag 16 is mounted. Said frame may be of metal, wood, plastic or othersuitable materials and the bag may be of paper, plastic, fabric or otherpliant sheetings. The frame illustrated in Fig. l is of sheet metal.

Frame 15 consists of two elongated members 17 and 18 which are of equallength. One form of linkage means for properly associating said memberscomprises the sets of links 19, 20, 21, 22; one such set being at eachside of the frame respectively. At one of their ends, links 19 and 20are hinged together for movement about axis 23 and their other ends arehinged respectively to corresponding ends of the members 17 and 13, ataxes denoted by the numerals 24, 25 respectively. At one of their ends,links 21 and 22 are hinged together for movement about the axis 26,while their other ends are hinged respectively to the same correspondingends of the members 17 and 18, at axes indicated by the numerals 27 and28 respectively. The axes 23, 24, 25 are parallel and lengthwise of themembers 17, 18. The axes 26, 27, 28 are parallel, and perpendicular tothe direction of the axes 23, 24, 25. The lengths of the links 21 and 22are equal. To standardize the parts for economical manufacture, all thelinks are made of equal length and sufficient that the bag may be almostfully opened before any hinged pair of links are in dead-centerrelation. It is advisable to provide stop lugs as 29 as part of thehinge structures so that associated links are stopped before they wouldassume dead-center relation. At maximum permitted opening of the links,the bag should be almost fully open but not entirely open, so that itwould retain a disposition to close along its proper folds.

The bag 16 shown in Fig. 4 is provided with an outer .cufi 33 around itsmouth. The frame 15 is provided with book means on each of the members17 and 18,

, v e which set into the cuff of the bag so that said bag is suspendedfrom the frame. One form of hook means for each of said frame members,may be provided by having said members formed as upright channels 30 and31 respectively and it is preferred that said channels shall extendbetween and somewhat spaced from the pairs of links 19, 20, each anequal distance from the adjacent ends of the frame members 17, 18. Thesides of the bag 16 are preferably inwardly folding gussets 34,35respec- :trvely, so that the bag can be folded fiatand opened torectangular prismatic form. The opposing gussets should almost meet whenclosed. Ordinary paper bags of this type may be used after they arefashioned witha cuff 33. The size of the bag should be such that itsW'idthfrom gusset to gusset will permit snug admissionof thehooks 36, 37into the respective'cuff portions'along the faces of the bagrespectively. -It is evident'that thisprovision of suspension allows thebag 16to be expanded iipon opening of the frame 15 byseparatingthe framemembers 17, 18. The nature ofthe linkage is such that at all times,members 17 and 18 areopposite each other, can have no appreciablerelative longitudinal movement and when one is held and the other movedwith respect to the first, the moved member will have'alocus of movementalong a single flat plane, hence'the bag'will never assume-as askewcondition and if in usethe' members "17 and 18 are intended to behorizontal, the rim ofthe mouth of the bag will always be in onehorizontal'plane.

The hooks 36, 37 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, are opposite eachother and lie within the frame. An inherent resiliency of the sheetmetal will enable sealed closure of the bag is the hooks 36, 37 contactand are pressed together, or the opposing surfaces of said hooks 36, 37may be faced lengthwise with rubber stripping indicated inFig. 3 as 46and 47 respectively. These strips are compressed when the frame isclosed and would offer good sealing of the bag 16 while the said frame15 is maintained closed by any releasable latch means, as for instancethe detents 39 on member 18 which serve to engage the frame member 17 atpoints '40 respectively. These detents are on a rotatably mounted {odh41having a handle 42 for opening and locking the atc If desired, the bagmay be as shown in'FiglS where an ordinary paper bag 43 having foldingside gussets 44 has each ply of such gussets reinforced along bag rim ormouth edge by a comparatively rigid cardboard strip 45. Such stripsextend not quite to the fold line of the gusset they are associated withso that the bag'is free to fold properly. Such relatively rigidreinforcing'strips are intended to: enable the bag to close properlyalong its normalfolds even when almost fully loaded with material. Insaid bag 43, the front and rear walls thereof, along the mouth rim, areeach'provided with a downwardly opening pocket 48. These pockets arereally cuff portions secured along the side edges of said bag and enableit to be used with the suspending hooks as 36;37. The'bag with thementioned reinforcement strips 45, but minus pockets or cuffs, could beused with a frame equipped with a clamping device; examples of suchframes of modified construction, being hereinafter described.

Ifthe members 17 and 18 of the frame 15 were changed so that each be ofthe structure shown in Fig. 6, any

type of bag may be employed, even plain paper bags ordinary incommercial use. No cuff or parts of such are necessary in this modifiedframe embodiment, because the frame here offers means for clamping therim portion of the bag onto the frame. Also to be noted, is that if saidmembers 17 and 18 of the frame 15 were changed so that each'be' of theconstructionshown inFig. 8, any

type of bagmay be used therewith, since there is'provision to suspend abag by clamping means or a bag having a cuff may be mounted on hooks 52in manner similar as explained for the frame 15.

' In Figs. 6 and 7, each frame bar 53 carrieslongitudinally therealong,a clamping bar 54 in hinged relation therewith. Each clamp means 55 thusformed, is urged to closed condition by spring means which may be atensed-in-torsion coil spring 56 about the hinge axis pin 57 of forinstance the hinge means afforded by the spaced ears 58 on the clampingbar 54 and the spaced cars 59 on the frame bar 53. The ears 58 arebetween the ears 59 and in contact with them respectively, while thesaid coil spring is between said pair of ears 53, with its ends actingagainst the frame member 53 and the clamping bar 54 respectively. Aplurality of such hinge means denoted generally by the numeral 60, maybe provided as design dictates. The clamping bars 54 are directlyopposite each other and each is in the form of an upright comb whoseteeth 61 engage the bag 62. Such comb form permits bags of differentwidths to be accommodated by the frame. Below each clamping bar, theassociated frame member carries a longitudinal rubber strip 63 ofsufiicient thickness that they contact and are in compression when theframe is closed. Thus, the bag 62 is practically hermetically sealed. I

Mention hasbeen made that the comb form ofthe clamping bars 54, permitsthe frame to accommodat-e'bags of'different widths. It is evident thatthis is possible because the mouth rim of the bag must encircle onlythose teeth which are along the clamping bars adistance equal to'thewidth of the face of the bag. It is therefore evident that the hookmembers 36, 37, 52, when in'the form of inverted combs respectively,would permit the frame to accommodate cuffed bags as 16, of difierentface widths.

In the modified frame bar embodiment shown in Fig. 8, I'have combinedthe structural features of both Figs. 1 and 6. Thus bags may besuspended by the clamping means 64, or if the bag used is provided withcuff structure, as for instance shown in Figs. 4 or 5, it may be hungupon the books 52. In this Fig. 8, the frame bar is denoted by thenumeral 65, the clamping bar is 66 and the rubber strip is indicated as67. Finger piece 68 is used to open the clamp.

If the device described herein is to be used for suspending a bag tocollect refuse in, it may be hung on the back of a door or onto a wallby means of screws or hooks through the holes 68' in the member 17 orits equivalent in the other described modified frame constructions. Ifthe frame is removable from its mount, or if the use of the device isfor purposes where it is carried about, the frame may be providedwith'suitable handlesas 69 and 70.

This invention is capable of numerous forms andvari- \ous applicationswithout departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It istherefore intended and desired that the embodiments herein shall bedeemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall'-cover*all patentiable novelty herein set forth; reference 'b'eing hadto the following claims rather than to the specific description'hereinto indicate the scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. In anarticle of the character described, a bag,'an openable andcl'osable frame structure, detachably mounted on two directly oppositeportions ofthe rim of the bag; said frame structure serving as a closuremeans for the bag, locking means on the frame for maintaining said framein closed condition and releasabletio permit the frame to be opened andresilient elements along directly opposite faces of the frame portionson which said rim portions of the bag are mounted, whereupon closing theframe, said elements become compressed; the bag being positioned betweensaid resilient elements.

"2. Inan article of-the character described, a-bag; an

' bpenableand clo'sable frame-sructure detachably mounted on twodirectly opposite portions of the-rim of the'b'ag; said frame structureserving as a closure means'for the -bag locking means on the-framefor-'maintaining-sid frame in closed condition and releasable to permitthe frame to be opened; said frame having a pair of opposite elongatedmembers which move apart when the frame is opened and which are movedtowards each other for the frame to close and clamp means on each ofsaid elongated members detachably engaging said bag portionsrespectively.

3. In an article of the character described, a bag, an openable andclosable frame sructure detachably mounted on two directly oppositeportions of the rim of the bag; said frame structure serving as aclosure means for the bag, locking means on the frame for maintainingsaid frame in closed condition and releasable to permit the frame to beopened; said frame having a pair of opposite elongated members whichmove apart when the frame is opened and which are moved towards eachother for the frame to close; said opposite portions of the bag beingmounted on such opposite frame members respectively and including hookmeans on each of said elongated members detachably engaging said bagportions respectively; said hook means being resilient and clamping thebag closed between them when the frame is closed.

4. In an article of the character described, a bag, an openable andclosable frame sructure detachably mounted on two directly oppositeportions of the rim of the bag; said frame structure serving as aclosure means for the bag, locking means on the frame for maintainingsaid frame in closed condition and releasable to permit the frame to beopened; said frame having a pair of opposite elongated members whichmove apart when the frame is opened and which are moved towards eachother for the frame to close and means on each of said elongated membershaving the form of a comb; teeth of said combs en gaging said bagportions respectively.

5. In an article of the character described, a bag and an openable andclosable frame structure serving as a closure for said bag; said frameincluding two parallel elongated members along the mouth rim portions ofopposite portions of the bag and detachably mounted thereonrespectively; said frame members being the only portions of the framemounted on the bag; portions of the bag which are between said framemembers, being free of the frame; said frame including means associatedwith both said frame members, adapted upon opening and closing of theframe, to maintain said two frame members in constant parallel relation,limit the relative movement of said two frame members to a single flatplane when one of the said members is held at rest, whereby the mouth ofthe bag is constantly in a single flat plane and maintain said membersagainst relative longitudinal movement and means on the frame formaintaining said two frame members in position that their opposite facesare in closest possible relation and releasable to permit said two framemembers to be separated.

6. In an article of the character described, a bag and an openable andclosable frame structure serving as a cloure for said bag; said frameincluding two parallel elongated members along the mouth rim portions ofopposite portions of the bag and detachably mounted thereonrespectively; said frame members being the only portions of the framemounted on the bag; portions of the bag which are between said framemembers, being free of the frame; said frame including means associatedwith both said frame members, adapted upon opening and closing of theframe, to maintain said two frame members in constant parallel relation,limit the relative movement of said two fname members to a single planewhen one of said members is held at rest and maintain said membersagainst relative longitudinal movement, means on the frame formaintaining said two frame members in position that their opposite facesare in closest possible relation and releasable to permit said two framemembers to be separated and resilient elements, carried one on eachmember of said pair of frame members; said elements being opposite eachother and adapted to become compressed when said frame members are intheir closest relation; the bags being between said elements.

7. In an article of the character described, a bag and an open-able andclosable frame structure serving as a closure for said bag; said frameincluding two parallel elongated members along the mouth rim portions ofopposite portions of the bag and detachably mounted thereonrespectively; said frame members being the only portions of the framemounted on the bag; portions of the bag which are between said framemembers, being free of the frame; said frame including means associatedwith both said frame members, adapted upon opening and closing of theframe, to maintain said two frame members in constant parallel relation,limit the relative movement of said two frame members to a single planewhen one of said members is held at rest and maintain said'membersagainst relative longitudinal movement, means on the frame formaintaining said two frame members in position that their opposite facesare in closest possible relation and releasable to permit said two framemembers to be separated; the mentioned means to mainta'in said pair ofelongated frame members in their defined relation consisting of two setsof linkages associated with the corresponding ends of said two framemembers respectively; each such set of linkage comprising a first pairand a second pair of links, one of the ends of each of the first pair oflinks being hingedly assooi-ated and the other ends of said first pairof links being hingedlyrassociated respectively with said elongatedparallel frame members; one of the ends of each of the second pair oflinks being hingedly associated and the other ends of said second pairof links being hingedly associated respectively with said elongatedparallel frame members; the arrangement of the second set of links beingidentical with that of the first set of links; all the axes of hingeconnections of the links of both first pair of links of both sets, beingparallel and all axes of hinge connections of the links of both secondpairs of links of both sets, being parallel to each other andperpendicular to the other axes of hinge connections; the links of bothfirst pairs of both sets being of equal length and the links of bothsecond pairs of both sets being of equal length.

8. In an article of the character described, a bag and an openable andclosable frame structure serving as a closure for said bag; said frameincluding two parallel elongated members along the mouth rim portions ofopposite portions of the bag and detachably mounted thereonrespectively; said frame members being the only portions of the framemounted on the bag; portions of the bag which are between said framemembers, being free of the frame; said frame including means associatedwith both said frame members, adapted uplon opening and closing of theframe, to maintain said two frame members in constant parallel relation,limit the relative movement of said two frame members to a single planewhen one of said members is held at rest and maintain said membersagainst relative longitudinal movement, means on the frame formaintaining said two frame members in position that their opposite facesare in closest possible relation and releasable to permit said two framemembers to be separated; the mentioned means to maintain said pair ofelongated frame members in their defined relation consisting of two setsof linkages associated with the corresponding ends of said two framemembers respectively; the bag being between both sets of linkage.

9. In an article of the character described, a bag and an openable andclosable frame structure serving as a closure for said bag; said frameincluding two parallel elongated members along the mouth rim portions ofopposite portions of the bag and detachably mounted thereonrespectively; said frame members being the only portions of the framemounted on the bag; portions of the bag which are between said framemembers, being free of the frame; said frame including means associatedwith both. said frameumembers, adapted. upon. opening articlosingofltheframe,:.to maintain said two frame members inconstant parallel relation,limit the relative movementof .said two frame members to-a single. planeWhenone of said members 'isheld at .restandmaintain saidwmembers againstrelative longitudinal movement, means son .the frame for maintaining,said two frame members in position that their opposite faces are inclosest possible relation and releasable. to permitv said two framemembers to be separated is provided witha downward Cl lfflQIl its rimvand including hook means on each of said two elongated parallel, framemembers respectively; saidhook, means being positioned within said cuffwhereby the, bag is suspended from the frame structure.

10. The. article as definedrin claim 9,wherein each said hook; forms anupright channel with. its associated elongatedframe, members; the cuifbeing within said channels.

11.1. The, articleas defined in claim 10, whereinthe bag 558 includes..front .and. back portionszand foldable. and expandable gussets; said,gussets being the sideswof the bag; saidfchannels engagingthecuff-substantially along the entire portions of the front and-rearportions of the bag respectively; the cuff being within said channels.

References'Cited in the file of this patent UNITED: STATES PATENTS

